When was the last time you consciously remembered to slather your neck and chest in a healthy dousing of skincare? If you can't remember, you're not alone. The consensus amongst experts has deemed the neck as a commonly neglected area of care which becomes all the more concerning when you consider that the skin on your neck is thinner, more sensitive and more delicate than the skin on your face. Overlooking it has been known to exasperate a whole host of perceived skin concerns ranging from sun damage and hyperpigmentation to textural changes and dynamic wrinkles, according to Dr. Aamna Adel,consultant dermatologist. Luckily, the beauty world isn't short of protective décolletage care products and those committed to diligent skincare from the face down have rallied behind one in particular: This Works Perfect Cleavage & Neck Serum, £40.
The serum has sold out four times since hitting shelves in April 2023 and is now selling at the rate of one bottle every four minutes at M&S – but the most impressive anecdote comes from one happy customer who claims, 'It’s like a neck lift in a bottle! My skin looks so much smoother and firmer after just a few weeks of use.'
A single bottle of skincare being compared to an invasive cosmetic treatment is certainly a leap but not so much when you consider what's inside. Intent on addressing the telltale signs of sun damage, like dark spots, pigmentation and lacklustre skin, the award-winning This Works Perfect Cleavage & Neck Serum is packed with 'two potent marine extracts of algae and kelp (naturally rich in protein, vitamins and antioxidants) that help to defy gravity both in the short term through natural film forming and tightening for an instant smoothing effect, as well as long-term stimulating the skin's own production of collagen,' explains Dr. Anna Persaud, CEO of This Works.
Alongside that, there is hydrating hyaluronic acid, tightening larch extract, antioxidant-rich vitamins C and E, as well as blood circulating ginseng extract, to help users protect their skin and prioritise breast care thanks to the method of application which encourages a thorough check of the area. And the clever formula comes with seriously impressive results – 85% of This Works' panel users (consisting of 91 people) over a 28-day period saw an improvement in the texture and appearance of their skin.
On the brand's official website, one customer declared, 'As a 60 plus really rate this product, great results after a short time. Even got my husband hooked on using it!,' while another notes, 'Absolutely love this serum. On my second bottle now and definitely notice a difference. The skin on my cleavage was starting to look crepey and this is smoothing it out. Would highly recommend.' There is good reason for why the serum has received a 4.7 star rating amid 497 reviews online.
Its focus on protection against sun damage is an important one. Dr. Adel notes, 'The neck is an area of skin like the face which is constantly exposed to UV light, so it's more susceptible to sun/UV damage compared to let's say your arms, this means more breakdown of collagen and elastin which therefore leads to fine lines and wrinkles, textural changes, and hyperpigmentation. It is important to treat because it is an area where you can develop skin cancer but as well as textural changes like poikiloderma of civatte.'
The serum goes beyond skincare, too. With neuroscience at its core, the product sits on the mind and body axis for a 360º approach to wellbeing, meaning coating your neck and chest will also impact your brain due to its rich, sensorial formula. Loaded with a 100% natural functional fragrance blend of rose, geranium and sweet orange essential oils, this serum promises to activate areas of the brain associated with pleasure and reward, meaning its effects really do go skin deep.
'At This Works we take into account the mental and physical load that the neck bears for us on a daily basis,' Dr. Persaud says. That physical load refers to over 20 muscles in the neck, which enable it to be the most flexible part of our bodies, while supporting the skull and brain and allowing us to scan our environment, chew and swallow. It also protects vital airways, as well as organs such as your thyroid and parathyroid glands, your spinal cord and seven cervical vertebrae. Then there's all the tension it holds: 'On top of the anxiety induced by impossible beauty standards, the muscles and ligaments on the back and front sides of the neck can load up with stress, from carrying heavy bags, teeth grinding and clenching, bad sleeping habits and poor desk posture,' Dr. Persaud adds. No wonder the expert are telling us to stop neglecting our necks.
Shop: This Works Perfect Cleavage and Neck Serum
Featuring a mindful mix of hydrating hyaluronic acid, smoothing marine algae, tightening larch extract, antioxidant-rich vitamins C and E, as well as blood circulating ginseng extract, this serum tends to the harmful effects of sun damage in the décolletage area while also lifting moods thanks to a 100% natural functional fragrance blend of rose, geranium and sweet orange essential oils. No wonder one bottle of the stuff sells every four minutes.
Main image credit: TikTok @sparkle_silverlights
Sameeha Shaikh is Grazia's beauty writer, working across all categories to bring you insights on the latest trends, industry news and the products you need to know about, viral or not (most probably viral).
